FRONTIER LEAGUE TRYOUTS OCTOBER 24-25

The Frontier League will hold tryouts on October 24 and 25. For more information call Jeff O’Neill or Steve Gomric at 618-337-3000.

USA WINS BASEBALL WORLD CUP

Scoring six runs with two out in the seventh inning the USA went on to beat Cuba 10-6 in the International Baseball World Cup held in Nettuno, Italy. The hits just kept on coming as the USA broke a 4-4 tie and then hung on for the win. Congrats to the members of the USA team – comprised mostly of affiliated minor league players.

CRUSHERS WIN FL TITLE

The Lake Erie Crushers–in their initial season in the Frontier League–managed to win their best of five series champonship series three games to two last night. They defeated the River City Rascals in a wild 13-10 finale. Congrats to the Crushers for doing such a fine job out of the blocks.

ROBINSON OPTION PICKED UP FOR 2010

Fraser Robinson, LHP, Brockton (Can-Am), has had his contract option picked up by the team for next year. Before pitching for the Rox, Robinson pitched for the Ottawa franchise in the Can-Am league.

QUEBEC CAN-AM CHAMPS

Congrats to the Quebec Capitales who last night beat Worcester 7-4 to win the best of five championship series 3-1. Former NYSL players James Kukucka, RHP, and Sean Gregory, RHP, were both members of the Quebec team.

JAMES KUKUCKA AND SEAN GREGORY HAVE 2010 OPTIONS EXERCISED

Quebec (Can-Am) has exercised its 2010 contract options on James Kukucka, RHP, and Sean Gregory, RHP. Both players pitched in the NYSL
in 2009.

GAGNE LEADS CAPITALES TO BRINK

Eric Gagne, RHP, the former major league pitcher, took Quebec to the brink of the Can-Am League Championship last night. His complete game gem gave the Capitales a 6-1 win over the Worcester Tornadoes. Gagne allowed six hits and had eight strikeouts. A win tonight will give the Capitales the Can-Am Championship.

QUEBEC KNOTS CAN-AM SERIES

The Quebec Capitales scored four runs in the top of the 12th to defeat Worcester 12-8 and tie their championship series at one win apiece. The series shifts to Quebec tonight where former major leaguer Eric Gagne will start for the Capitales.

ATTENDANCE DOWN IN AFFILIATED LEAGUES

The 176 affiliated teams (in fifteen different leagues) were not immune from the recession. In 2008 these teams had a cumulative attendance of 43.2 million. For the 2009 season they were down 1.6 million fans to 41.6 million.

AFFILIATED UPDATES

Adam Amar, IB, Vermont (NYPL), had a disappointing season for the Lake Monsters (Nationals) batting just .145 in 35 games. Last year in the same league Amar hit over .300 for the Auburn Doubledays (Blue Jays). And two players who had accepted 2009 invites to play in the NYSL but later signed with affiliated clubs finished up good first seasons. Chris Affinito, C, did a nice job for Oakland’s AZL affiliate hitting .300 in 48 games with 5 HRs and 36 RBIs. Andrew Huebner, RHP, Bluefield (Appy), was 0-1 for the Orioles’ club with a 4.50 era. And a tip of the hat goes to Greg Rohan, 3B, starting out his professional career with Boise (NWL). He hit .249 in 61 games for the Cubs’ affiliate with 4 HRs and 21 RBIs. He is the brother of George Rohan, OF, who played in the NYSL in 2008.